Adaptive reuse but make it luxury: an iconic former government building is transformed.
4 min read
Words: Chloe Petersen Snell
Photography: Louise Sinclair
In 1927 the Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung had a dream about Liverpool – a city he had never visited – which was so vivid that he wrote an essay, penning famously, “Liverpool is the pool of life, it makes to live”. As Jung would attest, Liverpool does have a knack for making a lasting impact, not least for its cultural and architectural heritage – second only to London in terms of listed buildings, an embodiment of its maritime and trade success in the 19th century.
The dramatic Municipal building is at home on Dale Street, shoulder- to-shoulder with some of the most impressive buildings in Liverpool and within walking distance of the revitalised Royal Albert Dock and Tate Liverpool. Built in 1868 and previously serving as the (slightly drab) HQ of Liverpool City Council for some 150 years, the building is now full of life once again as the glittering, five-star Municipal hotel, transformed by architects Falconer Chester Hall and design studios Koncept ID and Grayland Interior Design.
Purchased by the Fragrance Group in 2016, The Municipal now sits as part of Accor’s boutique MGallery arm, post a £60m renovation that includes a new- build bronze extension that houses a pool and spa. Working with Historic England and Liverpool City Council’s heritage team over the four-year refurbishment, the design teams carefully peeled back the layers of the more modern fit-outs (picture rows of plastic desks and garish purple and white carpet tiles) to reveal original Grade II* listed features.
“Turning the hotel from an office designed over 100 years ago into a hotel which needed to meet the hotel brand’s requirements along with that of heritage was… difficult,” says Grayland Interior Design’s Jenny Denton. Doors, for example, were listed yet didn’t comply with fire or noise requirements, so each one had to be refurbished. “This was also the case with heating and cooling, floor compartmentation for fire, structural requirements, repairs to roofs, the list is endless.”
A sympathetic balance between the old and new, key details from the building’s past have been restored and celebrated, including a cast iron lift, original tiling and grand staircase. Bells chime every 15 minutes from the building’s meticulously restored clocktower, which is the same size as Big Ben and a well-loved part of the city’s iconic skyline. According to Denton, the loose design and marketing concept of the hotel is ‘time’ – inviting guests to take time to relax in the hotel and spa.
A smaller reception space greets guests, all dark timber walls and gold details. A large feature artwork of the Docks sits behind the front desk, recreated by the original artists specifically for the project. The Art Deco inspired space leads to the venue’s impressive showstopper – the full- height ‘Palm Court’ space, centred by a square feature bar that offers up a variety of tea-inspired cocktails; with dramatic faux palm trees and skylights.
Lighting is a hero here, and the studio worked with Artin Light and Northern Lights to curate the various lighting features, including decagonal chandeliers on the Palm Court, each fitting comprising laser-cut antique fretwork and a warm atmospheric glow.
At the back of the space guests can find the Seaforth restaurant, where a remarkable Deco-inspired chandelier hangs above marble tables, created by suspending 73 bespoke formed glass pieces within an antique frame, culminating in a floral likeness when viewed from beneath, contrasting against the more traditional wall panelling and heritage elements. The menu includes a refined version of Scouse, of course, served with a side of banter from the waiting staff.
Tucked away next to the main bar, ‘the library’ bar features dark wooden shelving and wooden panelling with traditional oil-paintings of famous Liverpudlians, all complemented by juicy jewel-toned velvet seating. Items found during the renovation are displayed on the shelves, including a lone boot, perfume bottles, letters and keys. A private dining room is a further nod to the maritime heritage, with wave-printed wallpaper and boat-themed artwork. Cupboards feature nautical artefacts and love letters from a merchant sailor are on display.
“We have celebrated Liverpool in lots of ways,” comments Denton. “We retained the Liver Bird crest (the council’s logo) in glass doors and the Palm Court as a nod back to when it was council offices. The meeting rooms are named after the districts of Liverpool and the conference room is named after the building’s architect, The Weightman Suite, and features portraits and architectural sketches on pieces of newspaper we found during the refurbishment.”
Upstairs the warren-like corridors that were once home to offices now play host to 179 richly-layered guest rooms, complete with tastefully abstract Liverpool-themed artwork and William Morris & Co-covered headboards, nodding to the Victorian era. The carpet reflects the architectural layout of the building and on the top floor the former Mayor’s office is now the roomy Presidential Suite, complete with free- standing copper bathtub.
“I’m so pleased it’s a hotel rather than offices or apartments,” says Denton. “It’s now alive and buzzing with people who are making memories to treasure and giving the building a new lease of life.”
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